Provided there are no neurological or neurodegenerative causes such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, or spinal cord injury – extra calcium is usually the solution for muscle spasms or muscle cramps in many nocturnal cases. The extra requirements for calcium may be a result of high protein or phosphate levels (kidney disease, poor diet), hormonal diseases or imbalances, nutritional imbalances
(high Mg/Ca ratio, low pantothenic acid), celiac disease or other intestinal conditions that interfere with calcium absorption, prescribed medications that promote calcium loss, random self-supplementation of the wrong vitamins and minerals,
Consuming foods or beverages containing lactic acid is another acidifying strategy to reduce muscle cramps when working out, despite the buildup of lactic acid in muscle tissue during strenuous exercise being actually a common cause of muscle spasms or cramps. This happens from insufficient oxygen not being able to oxidize lactic acid, which would otherwise get rid of it from muscle. Inosine and
creatin supplements also help to reduce the buildup of lactic acid in muscle.
Vitamin E might be a good choice for its blood-thinning and
vasodilating properties. Gingko biloba also provides a blood-thinning effect and may be considered.
Sodium and/or potassium imbalances tend to become more of a problem during, or after physical activity, but less so during rest, so for exercise-induced leg cramps or muscle spasms, their addition in the form of a sports drink, or through extra Sodium / Potassium supplementation in tablet form may be a consideration. However, sufficient hydration (taking in enough fluid) is equally important before,during, and after a workout!
Since low calcium and/or low magnesium-induced muscle spasms or cramps go hand in hand with
disturbances of bone mineral metabolism, it may be worthwhile to consult a medical practitioner and be evaluated for other possible medical problems such as osteopenia or osteoporosis, whereby additional supplements such as Vitamin D, or other dietary adjustments may be indicated.
Those suffering from leg cramps that are due to insufficient potassium intake should be aware of – or at least use their symptoms as a warning sign – that ongoing low potassium levels increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and/or stroke.
Acute muscle spasms in the back are oftentimes triggered as a result of injuries, but chronic attacks
can also result from curvature of the spine (scoliosis), age-related degenerative disk disease, and/or
spinal alignment problems. Osteopathic / chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy, muscle relaxants,
needle acupuncture, needle-less electro-acupuncture or electro therapy are common treatment options, depending on the type of medical system one is most comfortable with.
Nutritional imbalances, i.e. abnormal Mineral Ratios are also capable of affecting spinal alignment, or they can even lead to scoliosis over time (and subsequent muscle cramps and spasms), in which case drug therapy or frequent visits to a chiropractor, physiotherapist, or acupuncturist can become
frustrating, since the therapy won’t last. However, once a nutritional balance is re-established, the spine
is less likely to go out of alignment and trigger muscle spasms, cramps, and/or other health problems.
There are some known medical conditions associated with myoclonus, including brain or spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, Tourette syndrome, multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, drug or chemical poisoning, organ damage, and others, however "sleep starts" is considered to be a type of ‘Periodic Limb Movement Disorder’ that as of yet lacks a specific medical cause or has a known relationship to a specific medical condition common cause of persistent muscle ache and cramps is mineral deficiency and/or dehydration. Minerals that may be deficient include potassium, sodium (as found in common salt), chlorine (as found in common salt), magnesium or calcium. Of course, over-exercise (or unaccustomed exercise) is a common cause of transient muscle pain and cramping.